High efficiency fin assembly for making glass fibers

Abstract

Cooling fin assemblies constructed of materials suitable for use in manufacturing glass filaments are provided. The cooling fin assemblies include a manifold having a first end, a second end and an internal passage therebetween. The internal passage is configured for a flow of cooling fluid. A plurality of baffles is positioned within the internal passage. A plurality of blades is connected to the manifold. The blades are configured to conduct heat to the manifold. The baffles are configured to create a serpentine flow path for the cooling fluid within the manifold.

1 . A cooling fin assembly constructed of materials suitable for use in the manufacture of glass filaments, the cooling fin assembly comprising:
 a manifold having a first end, a second end and an internal passage therebetween, the internal passage being configured for a flow of cooling fluid;   a plurality of baffles positioned within the internal passage; and   a plurality of blades connected to the manifold, the blades being configured to conduct heat to the manifold;   wherein the baffles are configured to create a serpentine flow path for the cooling fluid within the manifold.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein the manifold has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the baffles extend into the internal passage from the top surface and bottom surface. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of baffles are positioned in baffle slots located in the top surface and bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of baffles have seating portions and blocking portions. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 4  wherein the blocking portions of the plurality of baffles extend into the internal passage. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 5  wherein the blocking portions of the plurality of baffles obstruct approximately 70% of the internal passage. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 6  wherein the blocking portions of the plurality of baffles extend into the internal passage different distances. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of baffles include baffle apertures configured to allow cooling fluid to pass through the plurality of baffles. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 8  wherein baffles are configured to separate the flow of the cooling fluid in the manifold into two flows, wherein the first flow follows a serpentine path within the manifold and around the baffles, and the second flow passes within the manifold and through the baffle apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 2  wherein the manifold has a length, the baffles alternate extending from the top and bottom surfaces along the length of the manifold, and wherein blades are positioned between the alternating baffles along the length of the manifold. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling fin assembly of  claim 1  wherein the blades have a blocking edge, and wherein the blocking edge has an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus configured for the manufacture of glass filaments, the apparatus comprising:
 a bushing having a plurality of nozzles, the bushing being configured to provide a supply of molten glass to the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of nozzles being configured for the production of glass filaments, wherein the nozzles form a filament forming area;   a cooling fin assembly positioned in the filament forming area, the cooling fin assembly including a plurality of blades connected to a manifold, the manifold having a first end, a second end and an internal passage therebetween, the internal passage being configured for a flow of cooling fluid, a plurality of baffles being positioned within the internal passage, the plurality of blades being configured to conduct heat to the manifold, wherein the baffles are configured to create a serpentine flow path for the cooling fluid within the manifold; and   a mechanism configured to collect the formed filaments.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the manifold has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the baffles extend into the internal passage from the top surface and bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of baffles include baffle apertures configured to allow cooling fluid to pass through the plurality of baffles. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the flow of the cooling fluid in the manifold separates into two flows, wherein a first flow follows a serpentine path through the manifold and a second flow passes through the baffle apertures. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of baffles obstruct approximately 70% of the internal passage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of baffles extend into the internal passage different distances. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing glass filaments including the steps of:
 providing a bushing, the bushing configured to provide a supply of molten glass to the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of nozzles configured for the production of glass filaments, wherein the nozzles form a filament forming area;   positioning a cooling fin assembly in the filament forming area, the cooling fin assembly including a plurality of blades connected to a manifold, the manifold having a first end, a second end and an internal passage therebetween, the internal passage configured for a flow of cooling fluid, a plurality of baffles being positioned within the internal passage, the plurality of blades configured to conduct heat to the manifold, wherein the baffles are configured to create a serpentine flow path for the cooling fluid within the manifold;   providing a supply of molten glass to the bushing;   forming glass filaments through the nozzles;   providing a flow of cooling fluid through the manifold;   absorbing and conducting heat from the filament forming area to the manifold; and   transferring heat from the manifold to the cooling fluid as the cooling fluid flows through the manifold along a serpentine path.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the flow of the cooling fluid in the manifold separates into two flows, wherein a first flow follows the serpentine path through the manifold and a second flow passes through baffle apertures.